Their Finest dramatic and romantic film for Brisbane

Directed by Lone Scherfig, Their Finest is a charming drama and romantic comedy set in 1940, war time London.

Gemma Arterton stars as Catrin Cole, a young Welsh born woman desperate to earn an income to support herself and her artist husband Jack (Ellis Cole).

Dressed in chic tailored clothing, she is interviewed for a secretary position at the Department of Information’s film division and unwittingly lands herself a job as a copy writer to give a ’feminine touch’ to the Ministries propaganda films designed to boost British morale.

Far from being a ‘movie about a movie’, the film has a romantic twist when movie producer Buckley (Sam Claflin) become’s enamoured with Catrin during a location shoot in Devon.

‘Their Finest’ has some wonderful moments when Catrin gently asserts herself and demands a strong feminine role for her endearing actresses Lily and Rose (Francesca and Lily Knight).

There is a fine performance by Bill Nighy as Ambrose Hilliard the pompous over the hill actor, and Helen McCrory plays a wonderful role as Hilliard’s director that I would have loved to have seen have a stronger presence.

Cinematography of London at the height of the Blitz is impressive as is the use of imagery of hand coloured photographs in the background shots.

The filming techniques of the propaganda reel are very authentic which adds another layer to the film.